Spanish / Catalan... Can / Should they be learned together ?

Question

My wife and I are considering spending some time living in a part of Spain where Catalan is widely spoken. I began trying to learn Spanish a few months ago in anticipation of this move. I didn't really consider the Catalan dimension till recently. On looking at Catalan, obviously I can see great similarities with Spanish, but also significant differences (in a way I'm lucky because where Spanish doesn't translate sometimes my old schoolboy French steps in). Catalan doesn't really seem any more challenging that Spanish to learn, but the prospect of trying to tackle two very similar Romance languages at the same time does give me cause for concern that I could become rather confused between them. Does anyone have any experience of trying to learn Spanish and Catalan (or another related language / dialect at the same time) ? Mi mujer e yo pasaran tiempo en una parte de España donde el catalán se habla mucho. Acabo de intentar aprender el español hace unas meses para esto. De veras es soló ahora que refelexiono sobre el catalán. Cuando leo el catalán por supuesto puedo ver mucha semejanza con el español, pero tambien mucha diferencia. Quizás tengo suerte porque lo donde mi español no ayuda a veces mi viejo francés lo puede. El catalán parece tanto fácil que el español, pero intentar aprender ambos idiomas juntas me hace pensar que estaría muy confundido por los dos. Así me pregunto hay alguien aquí que a intentado esto con español y catalán o otro idioma parecido,

I don't have any expertise to offer on this but my opinion is that it would not be any more difficult than learning any other Romance language at the same time. I'll watch this for further discussion. - Jubilado, Oct 16, 2014

I've read one shouldn't attempt Spanish & Italian simultaneously because of the risk of confusion (whereas Spanish & German might be ok). My dilemma here is that I'm planning to go where both languages are spoken !! - Faldaesque, Oct 16, 2014

Answer 1

Falda, we went to Barcelona and Costa Brava this summer. I don't know if you are worried about being able to communicate, and the people in Catalonia do of course speak Catalan, but everyone we met spoke fluent Spanish as well.

If you just want to learn Catalan as a cultural enrichment or for fun, I wouldn't think you'd have a problem. There are similar words, but I'd think they're different enough that you'd be fine. It looks like you've got a firm enough handle on the Spanish that you would not get confused.

By the way, my wife is from Scotland. I love the country. I even have the kilt!

Good luck!

Gracias, One complicating factor is we'll be taking the kids & at least one of them shall be attending school where Catalan is compulsory. I've no fear he'll learn, but the question is whether we'll keep up... - Faldaesque, Oct 16, 2014

I don't think you'll have a problem. You've got a good handle on language from what I've seen on the forum. - Winkfish, Oct 17, 2014